Spurs cult hero may have played his last ever career game | OneFootball

During his six years in North London, Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld became very popular within the Spurs fanbase. Particularly in the first few years, he formed a formidable partnership with compatriot Jan Vertonghen.

Aside from his defensive attributes, Alderweireld built a reputation as a very good ball playing defender - with his long passes over the top to Dele to run onto a particular trademark during his time at the club.

Back in the summer of 2021, after six seasons at Spurs, the defender joined Qatari side Al-Duhail. After a season over in the Middle East, he joined hometown club Royal Antwerp in the summer of 2022.

On the final day of the 22/23 Belgian Pro League season, with Genk 2-1 up against Antwerp and set to win the league, Alderweireld scored a rocket from outside the box in the 94th minute to equalise and go above their hosts. At the same time, USG conceded three late goals at home to Club Brugge, meaning that Alderweireld's goal had given Antwerp their first league title in some 66 years.

In November of 2024, the defender announced he would be retiring from football at the end of the season, saying: "I can say with almost certainty that this is my last year. Sometimes I'm looking forward to my retirement, but on the other hand I also have a lot of ambition to accelerate with Antwerp. I will do that for another half [a] year. In the meantime, I'm going to try and enjoy every moment."

However, it looks like that retirement is going to come prematurely. During Antwerp's game against Standard Liege at the weekend, he suffered a tear in his quadriceps, and will be out for a considerable period of time as a result.

Toby Alderweireld may have played his final game as a footballer

The final Antwerp game of the season is set to take place on the 25th of May, so it is looking pretty unlikely at this moment in time that he will play again this season - and therefore perhaps never again in his career.

The now 36-year old could delay his retirement in order to play again - but would it be worth the potential repercussions to his body if he does so? In theory he could play once at the start of next season and retire.

Poor guy, a really sad way for this to end if it does prove to be his final game. What a player he has been.